OIT Projects in Progress

Office of Information Technology

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OIT Projects in Progress

2017-2018

Projects in Progress

1. LANDesk Endpoint Security Management deployment

OIT is in the process of deploying LANDesk Computer Management to desktop machines throughout CCNY. This new solution will allow OIT technical support staff to effectively automate software deployment and inventory. Also, it will enforce endpoint security policies for mobile users and grant network access control to protect against virus outbreaks and unauthorized access from a single or centralized console.

This new solution will even help us demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCIDSS), Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC), Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) in case we need to

2. State-of-the-art Active Learning Classroom (ALC)

In collaboration with DASNY and the Facilities office, OIT is building two new state-of-the-art Active Learning Classrooms (ACLs) in the Tech Center. These brand new enhanced-technology classrooms house seven interactive smart boards, which students can connect to wirelessly using provided laptops/tablets. Via Connect Pro will allow users to connect wirelessly to the AV system and play video content and display material directly to the class from anywhere in the room. The instructor can share content to all the smartboards from a central location and view what’s on the students’ computers. The tablets/laptops also enable faculty and students to annotate (using your finger or a stylus) on top of any content being played – even video. To encourage the new collaborative teaching-learning paradigm, the rooms are also outfitted with Steelcase Node desks that roll on casters so that they can be configured effortlessly in multiple ways according to individual needs.

3. CETL workshops registration system

We are building an online registration form that will provide a centralized, web-based solution to the registration process for CETL workshops. The system will have an administrative interface enabling the administrator to manage available workshops, view registrants, generate reports, contact applicants, cancel events, and view submitted feedback from users. In addition, it will streamline the workflow involved in setting up any workshop and allow CETL administrators to collect metrics on usage which can be used to improve the existing process and re-allocate resources accordingly.

4. Adjunct faculty workload

An adjunct faculty workload application will be developed which will allow department chairs to track and approve adjunct faculty teaching hours. Under the new contract, adjuncts may teach nine hours at one college, regardless of the number of courses, and one course, not to exceed six hours, at a second college. During the summer months, the University’s policy is to limit adjunct titles to 105 hours, except in departments with four credit courses for which a 120-hour assignment is permitted. Non-teaching adjuncts are limited to 375 hours per semester (225 hours at the first college and 150 hours at the second) and 175 hours during summer months. Adjuncts may combine teaching and non-teaching hours.

5. Space reservation system

This system will allow administrators to keep track of space usage on campus. The existing process – utilizing a spreadsheet – has proven to be ineffective. This application is built into the administrator’s specifications and will allow collaboration with the scheduling office and event planning. Each room is reserved to teach a class or for an event. This application uses the Google Calendar API to keep track of appointments, events, and class schedule.

6. Declaration of major form

A declaration of major form is in the process of being developed to override the fact that CUNYfirst does not allow students to change their majors. Currently, a student who wants to change their major has to go to the Registrar office to do so. This new form will allow a student to change their major online assuming that they meet the new major requirements. When the student submits the form, it is sent to an advisor who then approves the application before it is sent to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar then updates the actual student record in CUNYfirst.

7. 2018 CCNY Student Technology Fee New Initiatives

The CCNY Student Technology Fee Advisory Committee member continues to fund new initiatives to enhance the technology experience of our students. 10 new projects have been approved by the committee members for fiscal year 2018. The list below describes these new initiatives:

7-1. Psychotherapy and Counseling DVD’s enhancement of professional training and education

39 Psychotherapy and Counseling DVD education training materials and two DVD Panasonic players will be purchased to train students enrolling in the Psychotherapy and Counseling program, including special issues involved in: alcohol and substance abuse, child, adolescent, family, couples, and LGBT counseling and evaluation. Students served include all Mental Health Counseling students (40), all doctoral students in Clinical Psychology (60), all students in the CASAC program and many students in the undergraduate program and general Master’s Program (100).

While the DVDs will be used primarily in class, they can also be used by graduate students individually as well as in study groups, greatly extending their utility. Students will also be able to acquire the skills and understanding required for successful employment as counselors and therapists.

7-2. Upgrading the Division of Science test scoring center

The nine-year-old, Insight 4ES Scanner system used to score exams will be replaced with the latest model Insight 4ES IN4/2308. The current scanner is constantly crashing and causing jams, offsetting the time-saving that scanning is intended to achieve. This new version is not only faster and more reliable, it will allow faculty to stamp the number of correct answers on the exam sheet, which will save time especially when grading large lectures classes such as general Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Both the Multimedia and Learning and Technology Resource Center in the School of Education will be upgraded with the latest iMac – a total of 12, six in each center. These computers are used to download, cut and compress footage which our student teachers record while teaching in a classroom. In order to become state certified, student teachers also need to prepare an online portfolio called edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment). Part of that portfolio requires a recording of their teaching in an actual classroom.

7-4. School of Education – continuing smartboards upgrades

In collaboration with OIT, last fiscal year 2017, six of the current 11 smart classrooms were upgraded. OIT will upgrade an additional two smart classrooms during fiscal year 2018 with the newest smartboards technology, and the accompanying faster desktop computers and latest software version of Notebook. At the end of fiscal year 2018, a total of eight smart classrooms out of the 11 rooms will be upgraded.

7-5. Rapid and modest upgrade for the CCNY planetarium room

The current CCNY Planetarium projection system was installed in 1973 and needs to be replaced with a more robust and smart projection system. However, the room has been neglected and since it needs other upgrades, funding has been very difficult to secure.

OIT, in collaboration with the Facilities Office, will build a working digital projection system which, initially, would be able to be used for classroom instruction as well as college events. The following equipment will be upgraded:

a) A high-quality projector. This will give us the pixel density and contrast ratios necessary to make a viable image on the dome

b) A spherical mirror to translate the rectilinear image into a spherical projection

c) Mounting hardware to attach this setup to the wall

d) A high-end desktop computer to drive the graphics and projector.

This is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to begin the process of restoring our once vibrant Planetarium.

7-6. 3M Library detection system for Tech Center main entrance

A 3M Model 3912 library detection system (body book scanner) will be installed at the main first floor entrance of the Tech Center, NAC 1/301. This will be in addition to the one on the second floor of the Cohen Library entrance. Once the system is installed, students will also be able to exit the Cohen library from the first floor of the Tech Center. This will be very beneficial for students with physical disabilities.

OIT is constantly looking into rolling out new technology for our 146 smart classrooms. We deployed VIA Connect Pro, a new technology, into 83 of the 90 smart classrooms in the North Academic Center. This new technology allows both faculty and students to wirelessly connect to the AV system, play video content or display presentation material from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet in real time.

The solution can show on up to four screens on the main display, allowing a faculty member and three students to edit and discuss documents in real time. This solution works with Macintosh, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. We have secured funding to deploy the same technology on most (27) of the smart–classrooms in Shepard Hall.

Many biology classes have laboratory sessions that require computers and other technology. The current computer resources in the department are outdated and unusable. Upgrading the technology uses in these laboratories will enhance the education of several hundred students each year from across the college. The following technology will be purchased:

a. 50 Windows laptops plus two charging laptop carts

b. Two MacBook Pros, which will be used by faculty to teach in these laboratories

c. Two ADInstruments PowerLab 26T data acquisition teaching systems, to complement the four systems already used in the department, primarily for teaching Biology 40100: Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory Physiology. These ADInstruments PowerLab systems provide a free downloadable data reader and analyzer which enables students to work with their data outside of class to produce reports and prepare for assessment, expanding the usefulness of this company’s pedagogic products.

d. One Epson Power Lite Short-Throw LCD Projector.

7-9. Upgrading and expanding the Science Library computer lab

The Science Library only has 20 workstation computers which are at least 10 years old. OIT will upgrade these 20 workstations with the latest and faster processors. We will also add an additional 50 workstations to accommodate the computer needs in the library. We also will install 70 School Library Computer Carrels as well. In addition to we will add an HP Network Printer.

7-10. CWE computer lab printers upgrade and new student loan program

OIT will replace the 12-year-old obsolete printers in CWE’s main general student’s labs with the same models that we use in the Tech Center on the main campus. This will save money on printer maintenance since our own Tech Center Manager will be able to troubleshoot and maintain the printers.

In addition, OIT will replicate the main campus student laptop loaner program to include CWE students. The loaner program will grant CWE students who have limited finances more opportunities to excel by providing them with access to the latest up‐to‐date computers and resources required to do their academic work.

This new loaner program will offer 10 laptops – five Dell Latitude and five MacBook Pro – equipped with the latest technology. All laptops are loaded with MS Office, Wi-Fi, Adobe Acrobat, as well as other CCNY-approved software such as Adobe Cloud, etc.

8. Office and department AV upgrades

As funding becomes available, OIT will continue working with the Facilities Office to continue upgrading and expanding AV systems across the campus. The list below represents some of the spaces and smart rooms where AV will be upgraded during fiscal year 2018.

NAC 1/202 CUNY Medical School smart-classrooms – New projector will be installed

Digital Signage - Digital signage will be extended to two displays in the student dining room

9. Student laptop loaner program relocation

The Student Laptop Loaner Program has been relocated from the Tech Center in NAC 1/301 to NAC 1/204, where it will operate under the auspices of the iMedia Reservation Desk operation unit.

10. Streamlining faculty and staff CCNY account provisioning

In conjunction with Office of Human Resources, OIT will continue to streamlining the CCNY account provisioning process for new hires, including Persons of Interest (e.g. researchers, visiting faculty, etc.) with the ultimate goal of automating the onboarding and exiting procedures. When a new employee is entered into CUNYfirst – including persons of interest (e.g., researchers and visiting faculty etc.) – a CCNY Active Directory and email account is created. This allows the end-user to access Wi-Fi account, desktop login, VPN account etc. in a timely manner.

11. CUNYFirst Security Access Review

OIT will collaborate with administrative business offices (Finance, Academic Affairs, Budget, Admissions, Bursar, Financial Aid, Registrar, and HR) to comprehensively review employee user access to CUNYFirst pillars with instructions to ensure that roles and permissions are re-provisioned on a strict needs-only basis based on user’s job functions. The goal of systemically aligning access with business function by de-provisioning terminated users, removing excess access from over-provisioned users, and acquiring data access waivers for users required to have them.